A Letter to the Suffering Saints in Beslan, Russia

We at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, extend
our heart-aching sympathy to all of you who have wept over the pain
and loss of these recent days in Beslan. We hear and feel the
voice of the apostle Paul, “Weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Therefore
our tears have mingled with our prayers for sustaining grace in your
life. We pray that “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” will comfort and strengthen
and preserve you in the hope of glory.

We believe you are sharing Christ's sufferings, because all suffering
endured on the Calvary road of obedience and faith is suffering with
Christ. And since you share in Christ’s sufferings, you will share in
his glory. If the Spirit of him who raised Christ from the dead
dwells in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will give life
to your mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). The sufferings of this life
are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed to the children
of God. O that our great, sovereign, risen, and reigning Christ
may give you unshakable confidence in this truth.

We cannot fully imagine what you must have gone through, or are now
dealing with. But Christ can. He was tested in every way
like you are. Therefore he is a great and sympathetic High Priest. He
is able to stay beside you and understand and feel what you feel and
give you everything you need. He will never leave you or forsake
you. He will be with you to the end of the age. All authority
in heaven and on earth is his. And he is infinitely wise and good. We
pray that your faith in him will be unshaken and strong.

You have not worked in vain. You have not raised little children
in vain. Their lives are not wasted. Jesus is the resurrection
and the life, though we die, we are alive. Believing in Christ,
your children are alive, and will serve Christ meaningfully and joyfully
this very day and forever.

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might (Ephesians
6:11). Very soon, we will all see him face to face.

With strong affection and desire for your faith,

John Piper, Pastor

John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books.

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